The Grammar and Meaning of Psalm 29:7

From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Jump to: navigation, search

Exegetical Issues for Psalm 29:

Introduction

According to the Masoretic Text, Psalm 29:7 reads as follows:[1]

קוֹל־יְהוָ֥ה חֹצֵ֗ב לַהֲב֥וֹת אֵֽשׁ׃.

Consider the interpretations of the following modern translations:

  • "The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire." (KJV)[2]
  • "The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire" (JPS-1917)
  • "The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire" (NRSV)
  • "The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning" (NIV)

There are two main issues involved in the interpretation of this verse:

  1. Lexical Semantics. What is the meaning of the verb חֹצֵב?
    1. "divide"
    2. "flash"
    3. "strike"
    4. "hew (out)"
  2. Grammar. What is the syntactic function of the phrase לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ?
    1. Direct object
    2. Nominal adverb

Argument Maps

The Meaning of חֹצֵב

The first issue to be addressed is the meaning of the verb חֹצֵב. Does it mean "divide," "strike," or "hew"?

"Hew" (preferred)

Some translations understand חצב here to mean "hewing" or "mining," such as the JPS: "The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire." 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
["Hew"]: חֹצֵב means "hews" or "mines" (SDBH :L:).
 + <Standard meaning>:"The verb חצב means always to hew, never to cleave, or to scatter" (Hengstenberg 1863, 478 :C:).
  + [חֹצֵב as "hew"]: See, e.g., hewing out dressed stones (1 Chr 22:2; cf. 2 Kgs 12:13), hewing out bronze (Deut 8:9), hewing out a well (Deut 6:11; Jer 2:13; 2 Chr 26:10), hewing out a grave (Isa 22:16), hewing out a wine press (Isa 5:2), hewing out the pillars of a house (Prov 9:1).
 + <Mountains>: The occurrence of the verb in Ps 29:7 comes right after the mention of mountains in the previous verse (Lebanon and Sirion). This is significant, since חצב is associated with mountains as the location where the action often takes place.
  + [Mountains]: E.g., Deut 8:9: "and you can dig copper out of the hills" (NIV; וּמֵהֲרָרֶ֖יהָ תַּחְצֹ֥ב נְחֹֽשֶׁת); cf. the phrase "stonecutters in the hills" (NIV; חֹצֵ֥ב בָּהָֽר) in 1 Kgs 5:29 \[Eng. 5:15\]; 2 Chr 2:1, 17.


Argument Mapn0"Hew"חֹצֵב means "hews" or "mines" (SDBH 🄻).n1חֹצֵב as "hew"See, e.g., hewing out dressed stones (1 Chr 22:2; cf. 2 Kgs 12:13), hewing out bronze (Deut 8:9), hewing out a well (Deut 6:11; Jer 2:13; 2 Chr 26:10), hewing out a grave (Isa 22:16), hewing out a wine press (Isa 5:2), hewing out the pillars of a house (Prov 9:1).n3Standard meaning"The verb חצב means always to hew, never to cleave, or to scatter" (Hengstenberg 1863, 478 🄲).n1->n3n2MountainsE.g., Deut 8:9: "and you can dig copper out of the hills" (NIV; וּמֵהֲרָרֶ֖יהָ תַּחְצֹ֥ב נְחֹֽשֶׁת); cf. the phrase "stonecutters in the hills" (NIV; חֹצֵ֥ב בָּהָֽר) in 1 Kgs 5:29 [Eng. 5:15]; 2 Chr 2:1, 17.n4MountainsThe occurrence of the verb in Ps 29:7 comes right after the mention of mountains in the previous verse (Lebanon and Sirion). This is significant, since חצב is associated with mountains as the location where the action often takes place.n2->n4n3->n0n4->n0


"Divide" ➞ "Flash"

Some argue that the clause means "to divide flames of fire." The translation "flashes forth flames of fire," found in many modern translations, appears to be an idiomatic rendering which reflects the same interpretation.[3] See, for example, the NRSV: "The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire." 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
["Divide"]: חֹצֵב means "divides" or "splits" (BDB :L:, DCH :L:; Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 :C:; Baethgen 1904, 82 :C:)#dispreferred
 + <Ancient versions>: All of the ancient versions understood the verb to mean "divide."#dispreferred
  + [Ancient versions]: See, for example, LXX: φωνὴ κυρίου διακόπτοντος φλόγα πυρός "The Lord's voice, as he divides flames of fire" (NET); Symmachus: καταδιαιρουντος "is dividing"; Jerome (Hebr.): vox Domini dividens flammas ignis "The voice of the Lord dividing flames of fire"; Peshitta: ܩܠܗ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܕܦܣܩ ܫܠܗܒܝܬܐ ܕܢܘܪܐ܂ "The voice of the Lord is that which divides the flame of fire" (Taylor 2020, 101).#dispreferred
 - <Usage>: "It is difficult to get divide, cleave from hew out, and there is no justification in usage" (Briggs and Briggs 1906, 256 :C:).
  - [Isa 10:15 (split)]: In Isaiah 10:15, the verb means "splits (wood)" (BDB :L:; Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 :C:).#dispreferred
   - [Isa 10:15 (hew)]: The verb has its usual meaning (to hew out) in Isa 10:15 (SDBH :L:).
 + <Related roots>: Related roots in Hebrew mean "divide" or "split" (e.g., חצה, חטב). #dispreferred


Argument Mapn0"Divide"חֹצֵב means "divides" or "splits" (BDB 🄻, DCH 🄻; Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 🄲; Baethgen 1904, 82 🄲)n1Ancient versionsSee, for example, LXX: φωνὴ κυρίου διακόπτοντος φλόγα πυρός "The Lord's voice, as he divides flames of fire" (NET); Symmachus: καταδιαιρουντος "is dividing"; Jerome (Hebr.): vox Domini dividens flammas ignis "The voice of the Lord dividing flames of fire"; Peshitta: ܩܠܗ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܕܦܣܩ ܫܠܗܒܝܬܐ ܕܢܘܪܐ܂ "The voice of the Lord is that which divides the flame of fire" (Taylor 2020, 101).n4Ancient versionsAll of the ancient versions understood the verb to mean "divide."n1->n4n2Isa 10:15 (split)In Isaiah 10:15, the verb means "splits (wood)" (BDB 🄻; Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 🄲).n5Usage"It is difficult to get divide, cleave from hew out, and there is no justification in usage" (Briggs and Briggs 1906, 256 🄲).n2->n5n3Isa 10:15 (hew)The verb has its usual meaning (to hew out) in Isa 10:15 (SDBH 🄻).n3->n2n4->n0n5->n0n6Related rootsRelated roots in Hebrew mean "divide" or "split" (e.g., חצה, חטב). n6->n0


"Strike"

Some translations understand the verb חצב here to mean "strikes," such as the NIV: "The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning." 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
["Strike"]: חֹצֵב means "strike."#dispreferred
 + <Hos 6:6>: 'In Hos 6:5 it seems to mean “cut in pieces,” “knock down,” or perhaps “hack” (see F. I. Andersen and D. N. Freedman, Hosea AB, 428)' (NET translation note).#dispreferred
 + <Ugaritic>:'The Ugaritic cognate can mean “assault”' (NET translation note).#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0"Strike"חֹצֵב means "strike."n1Hos 6:6'In Hos 6:5 it seems to mean “cut in pieces,” “knock down,” or perhaps “hack” (see F. I. Andersen and D. N. Freedman, Hosea AB, 428)' (NET translation note).n1->n0n2Ugaritic'The Ugaritic cognate can mean “assault”' (NET translation note).n2->n0


The Syntactic Function of לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ

The second issue to be addressed concerns the phrase לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ. Most agree that the phrase refers to "lightning bolts." Scholars and translators disagree, however, on the syntactic function of the phrase לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ within the clause. Is it the direct object ("hews flames of fire"), or is it a nominal adverb ("hews with flames of fire")?

Direct Object

Some translations interpret לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ as a direct object, such as the JPS: "The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire." 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[Direct Object]: לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is the direct object of the verb חצב. #dispreferred
 + <Direct Object>: The verb חצב is transitive, and the phrase לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is not marked as an adjunct. Therefore, לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is naturally taken as the direct object.#dispreferred
  - <Nonsensical>: This would be difficult to make sense of. What would it mean to "hew out flames of fire (=lightning bolts)"?
   - [Possible Interpretation]: YHWH strikes the clouds with his hammer so that they "burst forth into lightnings and thunderbolts" (Calvin :C:, cf. Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 :C:).#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0Direct Objectלַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is the direct object of the verb חצב. n1Possible InterpretationYHWH strikes the clouds with his hammer so that they "burst forth into lightnings and thunderbolts" (Calvin 🄲, cf. Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 🄲).n3NonsensicalThis would be difficult to make sense of. What would it mean to "hew out flames of fire (=lightning bolts)"?n1->n3n2Direct ObjectThe verb חצב is transitive, and the phrase לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is not marked as an adjunct. Therefore, לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is naturally taken as the direct object.n2->n0n3->n2


Nominal Adverb (preferred)

Some translations interpret לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ as a nominal adverb, such as the NIV: "The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning." 


===
model:
    removeTagsFromText: true
    shortcodes:
      ":C:": {unicode: "🄲"}
      ":G:": {unicode: "🄶"}
      ":A:": {unicode: "🄰"}
      ":I:": {unicode: "🄸"}    
      ":L:": {unicode: "🄻"}
      ":D:": {unicode: "🄳"}    
      ":M:": {unicode: "🄼"}   
selection:
    excludeDisconnected: false
dot:
    graphVizSettings:
        rankdir: LR
        concentrate: true
        ranksep: 0.2
        nodesep: 0.2
=== 
[Nominal adverb]: The phrase לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is adverbial ("with flames of fire") (Hengstenberg 1863, 478 :C:).
 + <Instrument>: The action of "hewing" (חצב) involves a (weapon-like) instrument (usually indicated with ב), and "flames of fire" (=lightning bolts) are naturally understood as the instrument in this context.
  + [חצב + instrumental ב]: See, e.g., הַחֹצֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ in Isa 10:15 and חָצַ֙בְתִּי֙ בַּנְּבִיאִ֔ים in Hos 6:5.
  + <Psalm 18 arrows>: Psalm 18:14-15 depicts YHWH's lightning bolts as arrows.
   + [Psalm 18 arrows]: "And YHWH thundered in the heavens. And the Most High began to raise his voice. And he shot his arrows, and he dispersed them" (CBC).
  + [Baal]: The god Baal is depicted in Ugaritic texts and images as wielding lightning as a weapon.
  + [להבה as "spear-head"]: The noun להבה ("flame") can refer to the head of a spear (see, e.g., 1 Sam 17:7).
 - <No preposition>:The absence of a ב preposition means that the phrase cannot indicate the instrument.#dispreferred
  - [Nominal adverb]: Sometimes, adjuncts that are normally marked by ב may occur without it (GKC §118 :G:; IBHS §10.2.2 :G:).
   <_ [Nominal adverb never as instrument]: "The accusative never denotes the instrument except with the passive participle" (Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 :C:).#dispreferred


Argument Mapn0Nominal adverbThe phrase לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ is adverbial ("with flames of fire") (Hengstenberg 1863, 478 🄲).n8No prepositionThe absence of a ב preposition means that the phrase cannot indicate the instrument.n0->n8n1חצב + instrumental בSee, e.g., הַחֹצֵ֣ב בּ֑וֹ in Isa 10:15 and חָצַ֙בְתִּי֙ בַּנְּבִיאִ֔ים in Hos 6:5.n6InstrumentThe action of "hewing" (חצב) involves a (weapon-like) instrument (usually indicated with ב), and "flames of fire" (=lightning bolts) are naturally understood as the instrument in this context.n1->n6n2Psalm 18 arrows"And YHWH thundered in the heavens. And the Most High began to raise his voice. And he shot his arrows, and he dispersed them" (CBC).n7Psalm 18 arrowsPsalm 18:14-15 depicts YHWH's lightning bolts as arrows.n2->n7n3BaalThe god Baal is depicted in Ugaritic texts and images as wielding lightning as a weapon.n3->n6n4להבה as "spear-head"The noun להבה ("flame") can refer to the head of a spear (see, e.g., 1 Sam 17:7).n4->n6n5Nominal adverb never as instrument"The accusative never denotes the instrument except with the passive participle" (Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175 🄲).n5->n0n6->n0n7->n6


Conclusion (B)

In sum, we prefer the understanding of the lexical semantics of חצב as "hew" and the function of לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ as a nominal adverb.

The following observations argue in favor of interpreting חצב as "hew." (1) This is the usual meaning of the verb חצב (qal) in Biblical Hebrew. (2) The occurrence of the verb in Psalm 29:7 comes right after the mention of mountains in the previous verse (Lebanon and Sirion). This is significant, since חצב is associated with mountains as the location where the action often takes place. If חצב is interpreted in this way, then לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ (which most interpret as a reference to "lightning bolts") is probably the instrument rather than the patient, since it is easier to conceive (especially in the context of this psalm) of "lightning bolts" as sharp and potentially deadly instruments for hewing than as the products of hewing. Psalm 18:14-15 depicts YHWH's lightning bolts as arrows, and the god Baal is depicted in Ugaritic texts and images as wielding lightning as a weapon.[4] The noun להבה ("flame") can even refer to the head of a spear (1 Sam 17:7). To be sure, the beth preposition might have been expected in this case (cf. Isa 10:15; Hos 6:5). The image in Psalm 29:7, therefore, is that of YHWH's thunderous voice blasting craters in the mountain rock with lightning bolts. Whereas human miners use man-made tools for hewing in the mountains, YHWH hews with "flames of fire." We suggest a translation along the lines of our Close-but-Clear: "The sound of YHWH hewing with lightning bolts!"

Research

Translations

Ancient

  • LXX: φωνὴ κυρίου διακόπτοντος φλόγα πυρός[5]
    • "The Lord's voice, as he divides flames of fire."[6]
  • Symmachus: καταδιαιρουντος[7]
    • "is dividing"
  • Jerome (Hebr.): vox Domini dividens flammas ignis
    • "The voice of the Lord dividing flames of fire."
  • Peshitta: ܩܠܗ ܕܡܪܝܐ ܕܦܣܩ ܫܠܗܒܝܬܐ ܕܢܘܪܐ܂[8]
    • "The voice of the Lord is that which divides the flame of fire."[9]
  • Targum: קלא דיהוה מנסר שלהובין דינור[10]
    • "The voice of the Lord hews out flames of fire."[11]

Modern

The meaning of the verb חֹצֵב

Hew
  • The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire (JPS1917)
  • The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire (NASB1977)
Divide/Flash[12]
  • The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire (KJV)
  • The voice of the LORD divides[13] flames of fire (NASB)
  • The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire (NRSV)
  • The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire (ESV)
  • The voice of the LORD makes flames of fire burst forth (NEB)
  • The voice of the LORD makes flames of fire burst forth (REB)
  • The voice of the LORD makes the lightning flash (GNT)
  • The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash (CEV)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen (ELB)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen (LUT)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht flammendes Feuer (EÜ)
  • Zuckende Flammen sprüht seine Stimme (GNB)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen (ZÜR)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN lässt Blitze zucken (HFA)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN lässt feurige Blitze zucken[14] (NGÜ)
Strike
  • The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning (NIV)
  • The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning (NLT)
  • The LORD's shout strikes with flaming fire (NET)[15]
  • La voz del Señor destruye con rayos de fuego (NVI)

The Syntactic Function of לַהֲבוֹת אֵשׁ

Object
  • The voice of the LORD heweth out flames of fire (JPS1917)
  • The voice of the LORD hews out flames of fire (NASB1977)
  • The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire (KJV)
  • The voice of the LORD divides[16] flames of fire (NASB)
  • The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire (NRSV)
  • The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire (ESV)
  • The voice of the LORD makes flames of fire burst forth (NEB)
  • The voice of the LORD makes flames of fire burst forth (REB)
  • The voice of the LORD makes the lightning flash (GNT)
  • The voice of the LORD makes lightning flash (CEV)
  • The voice of the LORD kindles flames of fire (JPS1985)
  • YHWH's voice carves out lightning shafts (NJB)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen (ELB)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen (LUT)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht flammendes Feuer (EÜ)
  • Zuckende Flammen sprüht seine Stimme (GNB)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen (ZÜR)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN lässt feurige Blitze zucken[17] (NGÜ)
  • Die Stimme des HERRN lässt Blitze zucken (HFA)
  • [18]La voix du Seigneur fait jaillir des feux flamboyants (NBS)
  • La voix de l'Éternel fait jaillir des flammes de feu (NVSR)
  • La voix de l’Eternel ╵fait jaillir des éclairs (BDS)
  • La voix du Seigneur fait jaillir les éclairs (PDV)
  • La voix du Seigneur fait jaillir les éclairs (NFC)
  • La voix du SEIGNEUR taille des lames de feu (TOB)
Adverbial
  • The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning (NIV)
  • The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning (NLT)
  • The LORD's shout strikes with flaming fire (NET)
  • La voz del Señor destruye con rayos de fuego (NVI)

Secondary Literature

Andersen, Francis I. and Freedman, David Noel. 1980. Hosea: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Volume 24 of the Anchor Bible series. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Baethgen, Friedrich. 1904. Die Psalmen. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck und Ruprecht.[19]
Briggs, Charles A., and Emilie Briggs. 1906. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. Vol. 1. ICC. Edinburgh: T & T Clark.[20]
Calvin, John. Commentary on the Book of Psalms. Translated by James Anderson. Grand Rapids: Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
Hengstenberg, Ernst Wilhelm. 1863. Commentary on the Psalms. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark.[21]
Hupfeld, Hermann. 1868. Die Psalmen. Vol. 2. Gotha: Friedrich Andreas Perthes.[22]
Keel, Othmar. 1997. The Symbolism of the Biblical World: Ancient Near Eastern Iconography and the Book of Psalms. Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns.

References

Choose a PsalmNavigate Psalm 29

29:7 Approved

  1. ↑ Hebrew text from OSHB.
  2. ↑ See, similarly, the ancient versions.
  3. ↑ The reason for thinking that the translation "flashes forth" reflects the same interpretation as the translation "divides" is that none of the lexicons consulted (BDB, HLOT, DCH, SDBH) give "flashes forth" as an option. BDB, for example, says for this verse, "divide, cleave... i.e. the thunder of his voice sends forked lightnings."
    • BDB – 3. metaph. hew in pieces Ho 6:5 fig. of י׳ attacking people by agency of prophets (|| הֲרַגְתִּים); divide, cleave subj. י׳’s voice ψ 29:7 obj. להבות אשׁ, i.e. the thunder of his voice sends forked lightnings...
    • HALOT – II חצב: Arb. ḥḍb to rake (fire) ... qal: pt. חֹצֵב: to rake (fire) Ps 29:7.
    • DCH – divide (Ps 29:7, unless חצב rake)
  4. ↑ For the connection between lightning and weaponry, see also Keel 1997, 216.
  5. ↑ Göttingen Hexapla Database.
  6. ↑ NETS.
  7. ↑ Göttingen Hexapla Database.
  8. ↑ CAL.
  9. ↑ Taylor 2020, 101.
  10. ↑ CAL.
  11. ↑ Stec 2004, 68.
  12. ↑ The reason for thinking that the translation "flashes forth" reflects the same interpretation as the translation "divides" is that none of the lexicons consulted (BDB, HLOT, DCH, SDBH) give "flashes forth" as an option. BDB, for example, says for this verse, "divide, cleave... i.e. the thunder of his voice sends forked lightnings."
  13. ↑ Translation footnote: I.e., lightning.
  14. ↑ Translation footnote: Wörtlich: "Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen".
  15. ↑ NET – The verb normally means “to hew [stone or wood],” or “to hew out.” In Hos 6:5 it seems to mean “cut in pieces,” “knock down,” or perhaps “hack” (see F. I. Andersen and D. N. Freedman, Hosea [AB], 428). The Ugaritic cognate can mean “assault.” In v. 7 the verb seems to have a similar meaning, perhaps “attack, strike.” The phrase “flames of fire” is an adverbial accusative; the Lord’s shout is accompanied by “flames of fire,” that is, lightning bolts.
  16. ↑ Translation footnote: I.e., lightning.
  17. ↑ Translation footnote: Wörtlich: "Die Stimme des HERRN sprüht Feuerflammen".
  18. ↑ Translation footnote: Feux flamboyants : litt. flammes de feu; autre traduction éclairs; cf. v. 3; 104.4; Es 30.27; Na 3.3; Ha 3.11; voir aussi Gn 3.24.
  19. ↑ Jahve spaltet Feuerflammen d. h. er schleudert Blitze, welche in ihrer langen Zickzacklinie gespaltenen Flammen gleichen. חצב beziehn LXX Aq. Sym. Quinta richtig auf Jahve, nicht auf קול (Baethgen 1904, 82).
  20. ↑ *חצב vb. Qal hew out stone esp., metaph. hew in pieces Ho 6:5; here להבות אש dub. because it is difficult to get divide, cleave from hew out, and there is no justification in usage. Che., Du., think we must emend the text by inserting the word rocks and making two lines here, the flames of fire, the lightning, being the instrument of the cleaving of the rocks. But the effect of lightning upon rocks is not that of hewing out. G, V, J, S prob. rd. חצץ dividing, but this is not a good idea. Better originally חציו להבות אש (Briggs 1906, 256).
  21. ↑ '...the lightning, which comes in here as the wounding instrument in the hands of the voice of the Lord, the weapon with which it adds destruction to terror. The verb חצב means always to hew, never to cleave, or to scatter; so that the expositions, " He scatters," " He casts abroad," i.e. " fiery thunderbolts," are to be rejected: compare Hos. 6:5 ; Isa. 51:9, where חצב is used in speaking of an avenging God. להבות אש is in the accusative (comp. Ew. § 512), "with flames of fire." It stands related to the voice of God, as what is particular does to what is' (Hengstenberg 1863, 478).
  22. ↑ "Die Stimme Jhvhs spaltet Feuerflammen *) Oder: haut Feuerflammen aus... חצב ל wahrscheinlich. spaltet Feuerflammen (חצב von Holzspalten Jes. 10, 15 = חטב), d. i. wirft , schleudert gespaltene Flammen aus; geht auf den gebrochenen gezackten Strahl des Blitzes... Ergänzung von ב, als Accus. adv nimmt = nach Feuerflammen, was aber ebenso wenig statthaft (der Accus. bezeichnet nie das Werkzeug ausgenommen beim Part. pass.)... Wenn hier einmal die herrschende Bedeutung von חצב massgebend sein soll, so ist diese vielmehr ‘’aushauen’’ (besonders Steine und aus Stein…), und es würde demnach hier zu übersetzen sein: die Stimme Jhvhs haut Feuerflammen aus (nämlich aus den Gewitterwolken), d. i. schlägt sie heraus, lässt sie hervorbrechen, wie den Funken aus dem Kiesel' (Hupfeld 1868, 164 and 174-175).